Faraday Future's 1,000-HP Electric Concept Car Is Straight Out Of A Video Game

15.6K

Views

Anyone ever play F-Zero?

Faraday Future has unveiled its first prototype at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas, the FFZERO1. Images of it leaked yesterday, but this is the real deal. The concept is a tech and design showcase through and through. That's why it looks as if the driveline from the Tesla Model S mated with Ben Affleck’s new Batmobile. This vehicle gives a first glance at Faraday Future’s potential design aesthetic, as well as a glimpse into the company's future tech.

The FFZERO1 also highlights the adaptability of the company’s Variable Platform Architecture (VPA). All future vehicles will use a variant of the electric VPA platform. This modular platform was engineered to be seamlessly adaptable for multiple driveline types. Both two-wheel drive and all-wheel drive are accounted for and the platform can host up to three electric motors. The FFZERO1 uses four "quad core" electric motors producing around 1,000 horsepower that rocket the concept from zero to 60 mph in under three seconds. The single-seat cockpit seams to be taken straight from the "F-Zero" video game series and features a smart phone mount in the middle of the steering wheel.

Data is projected onto the windshield, giving the driver the necessary information on the road ahead. The concept features a near all carbon-fiber construction, sans elements of the chassis and powertrain components. Interestingly, the FFZERO1 features aero tunnels similar to those found on the short-lived Nismo GT-R LM. The exterior design aesthetic was penned by Richard Kim, who some may recognize as the designer of the BMW i8. Faraday Future has made it clear that it intends to poach the best and brightest from the competition, primarily Tesla Motors. The company boasts 750 employees in its Southern California headquarters and has substantial investment from the founder of China’s version of Netflix.

Faraday Future has also announced plans to build a billion dollar factory in Nevada and has received $330 million in tax incentives. Promising as it may seem, however, it remains to be seen if this will cement a proper rival to Tesla or be another boastful claim that will be laughed at in the future. Only time will tell.